Anti-Semitism is NOT rising in America | Opinion

By Rabbi Bruce Warshal

Sun Sentinel Correspondent|

Feb 24, 2020 | 2:28 PM

Rabbi Bruce Warshal (File photo)

Let me repeat that headline: Anti-Semitism is NOT rising in America. Since I have been maintaining this consistently over the past 15 years, some of my readers have asked how I can still believe this, considering the recent attacks in Monsey, New York, Pittsburgh, Poway, California and Jersey City.

The feeling that anti-Semitism is on the rise is reinforced by well-meaning media. As one example, my local paper, The Palm Beach Post, in bold letters headlined, “Violent wave of anti-Semitism must be stopped.” I appreciate the sentiment, but a crucial distinction is lost.

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There is a clear difference between an increase of anti-Semitism and an increase in anti-Semitic incidents. The latter is correct; the former is not. Let me explain. Without reciting the statistical history, with the exception of ADL, every serious study by the American Jewish Committee (AJC), the Pew organization, Putnam and Campbell’s acclaimed study in their book, “American Grace,” and other studies by academics at Brandeis and Stanford, conclude that we are secure in this country and fully integrated into American society. As early as 1998, an AJC study showed that 85% of Gentile Americans welcomed a Jewish son-in-law or daughter-in-law.

Then how can we explain the rise of anti-Semitic incidents, if anti-Semitism has not risen? The 2003 Pew study found that 90% of Americans are not anti-Semitic, but this means that 10% are. Do not fret. The study also showed that nine percent of Americans are anti-Catholic, and in general, 10% of Americans hate Wasps, Blacks, Asians etc. As Jews, we are not singled out in this country.

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But 10% of 300 million Americans yields 30 million anti-Semites. It is this 10% who are responsible for the rise in anti-Semitic acts, primarily “lone wolves” rather than organized groups, such as the pro-Nazi German American Bund or Henry Ford’s anti-Semitic propaganda machine in the 1930s.

These data of 15 to 20 years ago still reflect reality. I know of no new contradictory attitudinal studies in recent years. Those who think anti-Semitism is increasing rely solely on lone wolf incidents.

Now the question must be answered as to why these haters have crawled out of the sewers?

Some have blamed it on the rise of social media, which allows every hater to spew his/her venom. But social media existed many years before the rise of hate crimes within the last three years. Others have blamed the “copycat” phenomenon, but copycats were amongst us throughout history. It does not explain their increased jump from passive to active hatred, again in the last three years.

It becomes obvious that the increase of hate in this country coincides with Trump’s election as president. We cannot ignore his references to Mexican Americans as rapists, his campaign against Muslims, his refusal to condemn David Duke and his reaction to the white supremacists at Charlottesville, proclaiming that there are good white supremacists as well as bad.

A president sets the moral tone of a country and Trump’s lack thereof encourages lone wolves to run to their gun racks and attack anyone they hate. Jews are not the only targets. It has been Hispanics in El Paso, African Americans in Charleston, a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, white Protestant churches in Kansas and Texas, a gay nightclub in Orlando, as well as Jews in Pittsburgh. Rather than fighting this, we have a president who, by his actions and statements, has encouraged it. Forget political questions; we have a problem of morality in the White House.

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A reader accepted the fact that anti-Semitism, as distinguished from anti-Semitic acts, is not rising, but commented that it only takes 10% or less to change the course of a country. He cited the rise of Nazism in Germany. But a multi-cultural, prosperous America is not analogous to a defeated, impoverished 1930s Germany.

How can we fight anti-Semitic acts? A better question: how can we fight hatred in America? Let us not focus only on our own community. My Jewish ethics require me to fight against hatred of all peoples, not just those who hate me. Jews should be standing against bigotry that targets Muslims, Hispanics, LGBTQ people. We should be actively opposing laws that discriminate against them.

Finally, if you want to fight societal hatred which leads to anti-Semitic acts, think about how you will vote in the upcoming presidential election.